Talk to PM on Khaleda’s release, says Quader

Staff Correspondent
Opining that whether Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be released is entirely dependent on court’s decision Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has however said she can get bail on parole on medical grounds.
Quader suggested that if BNP leaders want their party chief Khaleda Zia to be freed on parole, they should discuss with the prime minister about it. “The door remains open for discussion to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on parole on medical grounds. And BNP leaders can discuss with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on this matter,” he told journalists at a press briefing at his secretariat office on Sunday.
Earlier on February 8, the Dhaka Special Court-5 convicted Khaleda Zia and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Later on Tuesday last, the High Court extended the jail term of Khaleda Zia in the graft case to 10 years.
Replying to a query Quader said if Khaleda Zia used to attend the court regularly, the verdict of the cases could have been announced earlier.
“There is no logic to relate the elections with graft case filed against Khaleda Zia. We didn’t file case against her and awarded jail. And we can’t free her from the jail. So, BNP should follow the legal procedure,” he added.
Quader said earlier Khaleda Zia got bail in 30 cases filed against her.
“We didn’t oppose her bail in 30 cases. And now only the High Court can say whether she will be released or not,” he said.
He also said BNP did politics over Khaleda Zia’s treatment.
“But the jail authority didn’t show any negligence over her treatment. She is being treated properly. And now BNP kept mum about her treatment,” he said.